– Together with several European countries, Norway continues to have some dialogue with representatives of the Taliban. Norway and representatives from several European countries met the Taliban in Doha last weekend (6 to 8 May journ.anm.). There was a clear message about what we think about the tightening of women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan.
This is what State Secretary Henrik Thune (Labor Party) writes in a statement to Dagbladet.
– This also has value for Afghan civil society and Afghan women, who need support and for the international community to speak out on behalf of the Taliban. Civil society has said that they want this from us, and that they are worried about being left alone.
STATE SECRETARY: Henrik Thune (Labor Party) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB
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– Norway is naive
The statements come after Development Minister Anne Beathe Tvinnereim (Sp) stated that there has been some contact between the Norwegian authorities and the Taliban at official level after they visited Oslo at the end of January. She did when she became challenged by FRP leader Sylvi Listhaug in the Storting Wednesday last week.
Dagbladet asked Listhaug what she thinks about the fact that Norway and the Taliban have maintained contact after the visit to Norway.
– I think it shows that Norway is naive. Tvinnereim also says that international organizations have contact with Afghanistan and assist with emergency aid, so why in the world should we talk to this terrorist organization then?
Listhaug pointed out that Tvinnereim explained that all humanitarian aid since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan has gone through international and humanitarian organizations. Tvinnereim also said that the UN and the World Bank have stated that there are still gaps where humanitarian aid can reach without contributing to the Taliban’s regime.
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Humanitarian aid
– The Taliban oppresses women and society as a whole. It’s absolutely awful conditions over there. Instead of maintaining this dialogue, which really only legitimizes the Taliban, Norway must cut all ties to this terrorist organization that has come to power through coups, Listhaug said.
Norwegian authorities spent at least NOK 6.5 million on the Taliban’s visit to Norway in January. Listhaug believes that it was wrong to invite them.
– We warned then too. We said it was naive and that things would not get better. Now it has become completely cruel, and unfortunately that was exactly what we predicted would happen, said the FRP leader.
The Taliban have curtailed women’s rights since seizing power in Afghanistan. Among other things, the upper secondary schools have been closed to girls since March. In addition, burqa orders have been introduced, women are prohibited from traveling alone and driving school teachers have been told not to issue driving licenses to women.
TALIBAN: Here on the way home from the visit to Norway in January. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB
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UD: Necessary dialogue
Secretary of State Thune, on the other hand, believes that Norway must talk to the Taliban.
– Dialogue is necessary to promote human rights, women’s participation in society, and to strengthen humanitarian and economic efforts in Afghanistan in support of the Afghan people, says Thune and continues:
– We may also need contact so that we can assist Norwegian citizens who are still in Afghanistan. We carefully consider the basis and message of such a dialogue.
Thune concludes:
– To help the people of Afghanistan and prevent an even worse humanitarian crisis, we must talk to those who actually govern the country. All Norwegian aid goes through the UN, the World Bank and voluntary organizations.
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